Former University of Michigan and NFL player Jay Riemersma inches closer to Congressional run with YouTube announcement

The letterhead says "Jay Riemersma for Congress," but the official announcement is that the former NFL player from Zeeland is exploring a run.

The Grand Rapids Press reported Wednesday that Riemersma had filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run, but he did not return phone calls.

In a news release and YouTube video sent out today, Riemersma said he is "seriously considering" a run for the Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Holland Republican running for governor.

Riemersma has hired Republican political consultant John Yob, a Byron Township resident who was deputy political director for Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. Yob, who recently established an office in Grand Rapids, is also working for GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder, of Ann Arbor.

Riemersma's opening statements indicate he will use Hoekstra's 1992 strategy when he upset long-time Rep. Guy VanderJagt in 1992 by tapping into a "no more politics as usual" movement.

"Pete was an excellent congressman and will make an excellent governor," Riemersma said. "When he came to office he defeated the status quo because voters were tired of politics as usual."

Riermersma, 36, was a gridiron standout at Zeeland High School and the University of Michigan who was not drafted after college but went on to play nine years in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught 221 passes for 2,524 yards and scored 23 touchdowns in 112 NFL games.